Peter Paige on Obama, coming out and role models...

There is a terrific interview with Peter Paige on the Queerty site today. This is a guy who should be getting a lot more attention. I'll share a few things I found interesting but when you have time, do go over to Queerty and read "Peter Paige Opens Up, Lets it Out" it in its entirety.
On the presidential race: I'm supporting (Barack) Obama, although some of his answers about same-sex marriage of late have not sat well with me. What's worse is, I don't believe him. I think his real opinions are much closer to mine. But he's trying to win an election by being "centrist." At the expense of my rights.

On his role models growing up: "Billie Jean King. Martina (Navratilova). Lots of lesbians, apparently. I also admired really strong, talented entertainers. But I didn't really see any gay men in the media that I wanted to emulate. I didn't see many, period. I mean, growing up I never saw a guy who made me think, "Wow, this is what I want my life to be like."

On how being an out actor has affected his career: I don't want this to sound bitter or resigned, but honestly, yes. I think the combination of me playing the gayest character in the gayest show on television ("Queer as Folk") and being an openly gay actor has made it really difficult for a lot of people in the industry to consider me in other types of roles.

On paying that price: Oh yeah, it's totally worth it. I think it is so important to have unapologetic images out there in the media. It's such a great thing for the younger gay generation to be able to see images of themselves on television in shows like Queer as Folk, on the internet, and in the media in general. I think it's really important to feel validated and represented in that way, and I'm glad that I can be seen not only as an openly gay character, but also as an openly gay actor. I didn't have any of that growing up. But thank God I'm having a really satisfying career as a writer and a director. If I didn't, I might be sitting around waiting for the phone to ring!